Phuket’s daily world news round-up – Thursday 6th December 2012

WORLDbangkokpost.com – EU, US to stamp out child sex webs
The 27-nation European Union, the United States and a score of other countries on Wednesday launched a “global alliance” to stamp out trade in online images and videos of child sexual abuse.

THAILANDbangkokpost.com – ‘Birthday cards’ flow in
Leaders from around the world have sent warm greetings to His Majesty the King, after he appeared at one of the biggest audiences in Thai history, and told the Thai people that “kindness and goodwill … will create unity.”

mcot.net – Former PM urges political unity to get Thailand moving
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth yesterday called on the Thai people to end the country’s long-standing political conflicts and make a new start on the auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

bangkokpost.com – Narathiwat closes schools
The southern gangs have shot two teachers this week alone, security forces can’t stop them, and 380 schools will close so educators can discuss what to do.

mcot.net – Red Shirt leader won’t give up bail attempt
Red Shirt activist and Pheu Thai MP, Korkaew Pikulthong, whose bail request was rejected by the Criminal Court on Tuesday will discuss with his lawyer tomorrow to find ways to petition to the court again for his temporary freedom.

nationmultimedia.com – Baht likely to remain stable
The Bank of Thailand has expressed concern that the United States’ “fiscal cliff” crisis could make the baht volatile, but believes that in the long term the currency will likely remain stable thanks to Thai direct investment.

bangkokpost.com – Go-slow advice
Yet another warning, this time from a law lecturer, that rushing to change the constitution is a mug’s game that is certain to spark new political conflict.

mcot.net – 3G operators to be told: Reduce phone prices or lose the licences
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has threatened to revoke the third-generation (3G) wireless licences for any of the three bid winners who refuse to lower mobile phone service fees by 15-20 per cent, a commission executive said.

ASIAnews.com.au – Philippines typhoon death toll rises
The death toll from typhoon Bopha in the southern Philippines has risen to at least 325, with another 379 people still missing.

bbc.co.uk – Burma camp for Rohingyas ‘dire’
The UN’s top humanitarian official says conditions for displaced Burmese Rohingyas in Rakhine state are “dire”, and calls on Burma to improve them.

news.com.au – Coal, gas outburst kills 17 Chinese miners
Seventeen miners have died in an accident in a coal mine in China while a further 11 are missing at another mine which flooded.

bangkokpost.com – India govt wins test of reform agenda
India’s minority government survived a vote in parliament on Wednesday on a contentious move to allow in foreign supermarket chains, delivering a major boost to its pro-market reform agenda.

bbc.co.uk – Outcry over footballer’s death
The death of a Paraguayan footballer owed thousands of dollars of back pay by his club in Indonesia sparks outrage among fans and the players’ union.

UKbbc.co.uk – Sex crime terms set to be tougher
Tougher sentences for rapists and other sex offenders in England and Wales will recognise the psychological harm they cause, says the Sentencing Council.

bbc.co.uk – Austerity stays as UK economy struggles
The UK cuts its economic forecasts for 2012 as finance minister George Osborne warns of a longer-than-expected battle against debt.

bbc.co.uk – New Abu Qatada appeal to go ahead
Home Secretary Theresa May wins permission to appeal against a decision last month to block the deportation of radical cleric Abu Qatada to Jordan.